Colagenozele la copil – aspecte epidemiologice, clinice, diagnostice şi terapeutice

Pediatric autoimmune connective tissue diseases are a group of disorders characterized by the presence of anti­bodies formed against tissue antigens. These di­seases in­clude: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), der­ma­to­myo­sitis (DM), polymyositis (PM), scleroderma (SSc) and Sjogren’s syndrome. The incidence is reduced in children and among the most frequent are lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and scleroderma. There are many studies based on these disorders in adult population, but only a few describe the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations in children which are essential for the choice of treatment and outcome. In addition to morbidity and mortality due to internal organs damage, the prognosis is also influenced by the adverse effects of immunosuppresive drugs and by emotional, mental, social and economic factors which can have an impact on patients and their families.